A beautiful forest you can explore by boat

Along the Congaree River, creeks splinter off through a forest, supporting robust ecosystems. Canoe and fish in Congaree National Park, where high bluffs rise over paddlers. Trek along hiking trails or an observation boardwalk, using a park campground as a base for overnight or several days. Sit a spell and take in the sounds of nature. Rangers lead paddles and walks, enlightening guests about the area’s natural and cultural history, including the people who have used the land since prehistoric times. See otters, wading birds and a plethora of loblolly pines, oaks, maples, bald cypress, tupelo and holly trees.

Comprising nearly 11,000 hectares, Congaree National Park is the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Located in central South Carolina near the state’s capital of Columbia, this National Park is home to an incredible range of biodiversity.

One of the most popular activities in Congaree is walking along its nearly 4 kilometers of boardwalks or 40 kilometers of hiking trails. Along the trails, keep your eyes peeled for the animals that find sanctuary here, such as wild boars and box turtles. If you’re interested in learning more about the park’s rich biodiversity, tag along on a guided ranger walk. Another way to experience this marshy park is to kayak or canoe through its swamps or fish along its rivers.